Who are the APN

The current 2016 APN Executive Committee is drawn from as wide a range as possible of the international adult industry: It brings together both more mainstream and commercially substantial companies with smaller producers of ‘niche’ adult material. The Committee comprises:

Chris Ratcliff (Chair): Chris Ratcliff is Owner of adult broadcaster, Portland TV, which operates TV and on demand services across Sky, Freeview, Virgin under the Television X and Red Hot brands. He has worked in the regulated adult sector since 1995 having been involved with the launch of Television X. He went on to establish leading R18 distribution company Hot Rod Productions, before to re-joining Portland in 2007 as Programming Director. Chris was a founding member of the Adult Industry Trade Association (AITA) and sat on the Board of ATVOD (the Authority for Television On Demand.) He is the driving force behind child protection initiative xxxaware.co.uk and Chair of the Adult Provider Network. Chris also sits on the Council of the Digital Policy Alliance – the cross-party policy voice of the internet and technology sector in the heart of Westminster.

David Cooke (Co-Chair): David Cooke is a Director at MindGeek, a global industry-leading technology firm, which operates some of the world’s largest adult content sites under brands such as Pornhub, YouPorn, Redtube, and Brazzers. As part of MindGeek’s broadcasting division, David has worked in the regulated European adult TV sector for over 20 years, with responsibility for compliance and programming for channels such as Playboy TV and the Adult Channel. David is also a member of the Digital Policy Alliance, and was instrumental in bringing international cooperation to the Government’s age verification initiative.

Gary Beaumont (Treasurer):Owner of SpeedyBee and many other adult websites based in the UK. Gary is experienced in current UK legislation surrounding age verification, and went through the long process of bringing his sites into line with ATVODs rules (now subsumed into Ofcom).

Vince Charlton (Membership Secretary): Vince Charlton is Director of European Outreach at ASACP (Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection). Initially from an Accountancy and Offshore Trust background, Vince is probably best known for his work with European merchant account provider eMerchantPay. Now running his own Corporate Consultancy business, Vince is increasing the awareness of Child Protection issues within the European market.

Justin Santos (Press Liaison): Justin founded Joybear Pictures in 2003 after winning Playboy’s prestigious competition ‘Head to Head’, a one-off reality TV show competition to become the next biggest erotic film director. Combined with a passion for film and an old friend willing to back him, Justin established Joybear Pictures. His goal was simple. Create premium, sex positive movies. Joybear’s award-winning films are now distributed globally and have become synonymous with female empowerment, high production values and ethics.

Pascal White (Performer Industry Liaison): Pascal has been an adult performer for over 20 years.

Steve Winyard (International Industry Liaison): Steve Winyard is a Director and Vice President of ICM Registry, owners and operators of the top level domains .sex, .xxx, .porn, and .adult. Steve was also a board member of AITA and also sits on the Council of the Digital Policy Alliance in Westminster. With clients across the adult industry globally, Steve will bring a truly International perspective on all matters relating to UK law and in particular, the proposed Bill on age verification.